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KOBE PARAS PICKS CREIGHTON UNIVERSITY IN OMAHA By Ronnie Nathanielsz PhilBoxing.com Mon, 18 Jul 2016  Kobe Paras, the 6'6" slam-dunking 18 year old son of former PBA "Rookie of the Year" and Most Valuable Player Benjie Paras who is the first and only player so far to win both coveted awards in his first season in the pro league in 1989, has picked Creighton University in Omaha after his initial venture into UCLA where he was introduced to his teammates was inexplicably scuttled by the Admission Department claiming that Kobe had failed to make the grade even though he had already surpassed the national grade and was eligible to play for any other NCAA Division 1 college. Paras was set to play for the UCLA Bruins, until it was revealed that ?academic conditions of his admission? were not met. Coached by Greg McDermott, whose son, Doug McDermott, helped the team stand out before entering the NBA, the team last season finished with a 20-15 record, going 9-9 within their conference, the Big East. The team lost in round one of the Big East tourney, and made it all the way to the quarterfinals of the NIT, before falling to BYU. They last made the US NCAA March Madness Tournament in 2014, the final season of Doug McDermott. According to Kobe's dad he had checked out colleges in Oregon with his handler but eventually "decided to play for Creighton University in Omaha." Basketball pundits believe Kobe will be tested by the big name teams in the Big East Conference and his game is certain to grow playing for Creighton. Paras's dad Benjie told The Standard that Kobe, who finished his junior year where he played for Cathedral High School, had several college teams showing interest in the high-flying Kobe who had won the FIBA 3x3 Slam Dunk contest in Jakarta with a spectacular series of dunks. Aside from UCLA, other schools that showed interest in Paras were Fresno State University and Arizona State University. Also showing keen interest in Paras were UC Irvine California, and UT-Arlington. Benjie Paras indicated "this is their style" saying they go public with players they'd like to recruit. He said Kobe is "working very hard and is subject to a tight schedule" and concentrates on his studies, makes sure he follows a proper diet and trains hard. The Los Angeles Times reported that Paras' coach William Middlebrooks said "Kobe was very excited" about UCLA's interest in him but the Admission Department's refusal to accept his grades which were above the national average was a major disappointment. The coach of Creighton is Greg McDermott. Paras competed in the FIBA 3x3 World Championships in Indonesia and while his team failed to make it in the Under 18 competition, Paras won the Slam Dunk contest in spectacular fashion beating taller and older players from Spain and the United States. Some of the toughest schools in the Big East Conference include Villanova, Xavier, Seton Hall, Providence, Georgetown, Marquette and Butler among others. Creighton finished with a 9-9 record in the last season. Creighton University is a private, coeducational, Jesuit, Roman Catholic university located in Omaha, Nebraska. Its mascot is Billy The Bluejay and its color is blue. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ronnie Nathanielsz.  |
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